PGA TOUR Champions will make its debut in Portugal this summer with the launch of the Portugal Invitational, a new $3 million tournament that will be played at The Els Club Vilamoura from 31 July to 2 August 2026.

Announced as part of a new five-year partnership between PGA TOUR Champions, Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal and Turismo do Algarve, the event will become the first individual stroke play tournament organised by the PGA TOUR in Portugal.

The inaugural Portugal Invitational will feature a field of 78 players, including PGA TOUR Champions stars, members of the World Golf Hall of Fame and players from the Legends Tour. The event joins a strong European summer schedule, sitting between the ISPS Handa Senior Open and the Staysure Senior PGA Championship.

The venue, The Els Club Vilamoura, has recently undergone a major transformation under four-time major champion Ernie Els. Previously known as the Dom Pedro Victoria Course, it hosted the Portugal Masters on the DP World Tour between 2007 and 2022, where champions included Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington.

“We’re excited to partner with Arrow Global Group, Turismo de Portugal, Turismo do Algarve and Ernie Els to bring PGA TOUR Champions to Portugal,” said Miller Brady, President of PGA TOUR Champions. “Our Tour showcases some of the greatest names in golf and we know fans across Portugal and Europe will relish the opportunity to see these players compete on one of the region’s premier golf courses.”

Ernie Els, whose design company led the course redevelopment, said hosting elite professional golf had always been part of the vision.

“Whenever my team designs a golf course, we always consider its potential to stage professional tournaments. That was a key objective for The Els Club Vilamoura, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see those plans come to life with the arrival of PGA TOUR Champions.”

Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal, said the event further strengthens Portugal’s reputation as a host of world-class sporting events. “Hosting PGA TOUR Champions is another significant step in Portugal’s growing international sporting calendar. It provides an outstanding platform to showcase our golf offering, our hospitality and the Algarve as a year-round destination.”

“Hosting the Portugal Invitational in Vilamoura is a historic milestone for both the Algarve and Portugal,” said André Gomes, President of Turismo do Algarve. “This partnership with PGA TOUR Champions further strengthens our international profile and confirms the Algarve as one of Europe’s premier golf destinations. The Els Club Vilamoura, now hosting an event of this magnitude, reflects our commitment to combining quality, sustainability, and global recognition through a distinctive tourism offering capable of attracting elite competitions.”

“For decades, the Algarve has been Portugal’s leading golf destination, welcoming approximately 1.5 million rounds annually while continuing to invest in a diverse, modern, and environmentally responsible golf offering. This tournament raises the bar and reflects our ambition to establish the Algarve as a year-round tourism destination, generating direct economic benefits, employment, and international visibility. We’re ready to welcome golf’s greatest names and show the world everything the Algarve has to offer—both on and off the course.”

Vilamoura is one of the Algarve’s most elegant destinations, known for its golden sandy beaches, outstanding gastronomy, award-winning marina, and more. Visitors can also explore the islands of the Ria Formosa, home to unique ecosystems where local fishermen harvest oysters, clams, and other seafood delicacies. The municipality of Loulé, where Vilamoura is located, offers ancient ruins and a charming traditional market worth exploring.

All three rounds of the Portugal Invitational will be broadcast on GOLF Channel in the United States, with international television coverage available in more than 170 countries and territories through PGA TOUR Champions’ global broadcast partners.